The announcement of the Framework Document for cities facing water shortages took place at the One&Only Hotel in Cape Town today.

Cape Town achieved global recognition in averting Day Zero through its management of the water shortage crisis which hit the city in 2017 and 2018.

In excess of 130 experts from 15 countries attended a 2 day conference at the University of the Western Cape to debate and discuss effective water manage management solutions.

Out of the the 2 day session a “Major Cities Best Practices Water Protocol” emerged. As a result of the conference, UNESCO has committed to working with W12 globally and to integrate its work into the UNESCO platforms and systems.

Philip Clayton, the CEO of EcoCiv, said that cities facing water shortages were looking for solutions that included broader collaborations.

Reverend Rachel Nash, a panelist representing civil society, said that water is not a commodity but a basic human right.

Joana Fatch, a PhD research fellow at the University of the Westen Cape’s Institute for Water Studies, said even though water flows along a gradient, in reality it flowed towards money and power.